BLOOD & SIGILS

Chapter 63: The Hunt Begins

The Survival Island Trial was in full swing. Across the sprawling, untamed landscape, students fought desperately against the island's feral and mana-infused creatures.

For the strongest nobles, this was another test of dominance.

For the commoners, it was a battle for survival.

For some, it was a chance to prove themselves.

For others, it was a fight they would not walk away from.

Kael Veyrin – The Joy of Battle

Kael moved through the jungle like a predator, his crimson eyes scanning for threats.

The scent of burnt fur and mana-infused blood filled the air—a clear sign that others had already engaged in combat nearby.

But Kael was focused on his own prey.

He had fought mana beasts before—this was nothing new.

The nobles from the Seven Great Houses had been raised for this kind of trial, trained to hunt and kill monsters.

Except for Damien Nocturne, whose arrogance had kept him from real combat experience.

Kael smirked. That was Damien's problem, not his.

The bushes rustled.

Kael's fingers tightened around his sword hilt.

Then—a Greater Mana Beast burst from the trees.

A massive obsidian hound, molten-red eyes burning with mana, crashed through the undergrowth, fangs dripping with acidic saliva.

Kael exhaled, eager.

Finally, something interesting.

The hound lunged at blinding speed—the air distorting around it.

Kael sidestepped at the last moment, his blade glowing with Crimson Sigils.

S̶L̶A̶S̶H̶!

His sword carved into the beast's leg, severing its tendons.

The hound howled, stumbling.

Another rune ignited beneath its feet—Arcane Chains.

Glowing sigils wrapped around the beast's body, locking it in place.

Kael exhaled, twirling his sword. "Too easy."

He raised his hand—Arcane Sever.

A pulse of mana ripped through the air, shattering the beast's mana core from the inside.

It collapsed instantly.

Kael wiped his blade clean. "This is fun."

How the Other Students Fared

While the top-ranked nobles thrived, the lesser-ranked students struggled.

Some ran in fear, overwhelmed by even the weakest Lesser Mana Beasts.

Others fought bravely, pushing past their limits just to survive.

A few formed temporary alliances, realizing that facing the island's creatures alone was a death sentence.

But not everyone would make it out alive.

Lucian stood in a clearing, surrounded by the smoldering corpses of Lesser Mana Beasts.

He barely looked interested.

Then—the ground rumbled.

A four-legged Greater Mana Beast emerged—a towering lava-drake, its obsidian scales pulsing with volcanic energy.

Lucian sighed.

"Finally."

The beast roared, spewing molten fire.

Lucian walked forward, unbothered.

Then—his aura flared.

A golden inferno ignited around him, his Draconic Heritage unleashing a raw force that shook the island.

The mana beast hesitated.

Lucian smiled. "Too late."

With one step, he vanished.

A second later—his blade was buried in the beast's skull.

Evelyne Grimthorne – The Unbreakable Force

Evelyne rolled her shoulders as she faced her opponent.

A colossal war ape, its fur bristling with lightning, towered over her.

It roared, mana crackling in the air.

Evelyne smirked. "You're big. So what?"

The beast charged.

Evelyne didn't dodge.

Instead—she met it head-on.

The impact shook the ground, but Evelyne did not fall.

Her Titan's Resilience absorbed the force, and with a single, devastating counter—

She drove her greatsword straight through the beast's skull.

It collapsed in an instant.

Evelyne cracked her neck, bored. "Next."

Selene Duskbane – The Phantom Huntress

Selene moved like a shadow.

Her Eclipse Sight let her predict every movement, every attack before it happened.

She had already taken down two mana beasts without breaking a sweat.

Now, she faced a Greater Mana Beast—a serpentine wyvern, its fangs coated in lethal venom.

The beast struck, faster than a blink.

But Selene had already seen it coming.

She twisted gracefully, her spear thrusting into the beast's throat with pinpoint accuracy.

One strike. One kill.

She stepped over its corpse, already searching for her next challenge.

Darius Zephyrion – Lightning Made Flesh

Darius laughed as he weaved through the battlefield, his body flickering with raw lightning.

A winged storm-beast soared above him, its talons coated in paralyzing venom.

Darius grinned.

"Let's see who's faster."

The beast dove at him.

Darius vanished in a flash of blue light.

CRACK!

He reappeared behind it, sword crackling with storm energy—and sliced it clean in half.

Cassian & Rael – A Rivalry Renewed

Cassian was about to finish off a Lesser Mana Beast—

When Rael swooped in and stole the kill.

Cassian blinked. "...Really?"

Rael smirked. "You were too slow."

Cassian sighed. "I was literally mid-swing."

Rael shrugged, twirling his dagger.

Then his smirk faded.

"...We have a problem."

Cassian frowned. "Go on."

Rael glanced toward the jungle, where Mira's silhouette was barely visible.

"It's Damien," Rael muttered. "He's planning something. And Mira is his target."

Cassian's eyes darkened.

"...That bastard."

Without another word—he disappeared into the trees.

Mira – Fighting Against the Odds

Mira had barely stopped moving since the trial began.

She had already killed three Lesser Mana Beasts, but she was exhausted.

Unlike the nobles, she had no elite training.

No bloodline abilities.

All she had was her will to survive.

Panting, she wiped the blood from her brow—just as a shadow moved behind her.

"You're persistent," a voice sneered.

Mira spun, sword raised—only to freeze as Damien Nocturne stepped out from the underbrush.

Dark energy swirled around his hands.

"I'll give you credit," Damien smirked. "You've survived longer than I expected."

Mira's grip on her sword tightened.

She wasn't afraid of mana beasts.

But Damien?

He was a different kind of predator.

To Be Continued…

The battle rages on.

Kael, Lucian, Evelyne, and the others dominate their fights—but a darker conflict brews in the shadows.

And Mira may not survive what comes next.